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The Summer You Were There Manga #4
The Summer You Were There Vol. 4
In this yuri love story by the creator of The Girl I Want is So Handsome! , two high school girls–one a shy writer, the other a social butterfly–try to live out a romance novel.
Shizuku is a shy high schooler who hardly talks to other people. Instead, she loses herself in writing, crafting a novel that she never intends to show anyone. But when her cute, popular classmate Kaori gets her hands on Shizuku’s manuscript, everything changes. Kaori suggests that, in order to give Shizuku material for her next book, the two of them should start dating! Can this mismatched pair create their own happily ever after?
Shizuku is a shy high schooler who hardly talks to other people. Instead, she loses herself in writing, crafting a novel that she never intends to show anyone. But when her cute, popular classmate Kaori gets her hands on Shizuku’s manuscript, everything changes. Kaori suggests that, in order to give Shizuku material for her next book, the two of them should start dating! Can this mismatched pair create their own happily ever after?
172 pages, Paperback
First published August 18, 2022
3 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 16, 2025
Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★★☆☆
I kept on reading in hopes the mangaka would reveal the true motivations behind why Kaori is enamored with Shizuku and wants to help her out so badly. At this point, I'm forced to accept that there are none. It's merely a plot device to get the two characters together. Honestly, it's so disappointing. It doesn't help that the two of them have no chemistry together. They just feel like friends. If you're reading this for the yuri, you're gonna be severely disappointed.
Vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★★☆☆
I kept on reading in hopes the mangaka would reveal the true motivations behind why Kaori is enamored with Shizuku and wants to help her out so badly. At this point, I'm forced to accept that there are none. It's merely a plot device to get the two characters together. Honestly, it's so disappointing. It doesn't help that the two of them have no chemistry together. They just feel like friends. If you're reading this for the yuri, you're gonna be severely disappointed.
February 17, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ oh they were so sick for this 😭😭
January 27, 2024
Kaori has spent the entire summer being there for Shizuku, but now that her illness has returned, Kaori is the one that needs somebody. Then why is she spending so much energy trying to push Shizuku away?
It’s been pretty obvious for a while that Kaori has been hiding precisely how sick she is and while we don’t find out precisely what’s wrong - manga is always vague about the nature of these things - we do find out that she is dying.
Amidst all this, she ends things with Shizuku, not wanting to have her presence or her pity, and letting her friend have her life back. Which is incredibly shortsighted, since it ignores the part where Kaori has become Shizuku’s life.
Still, we didn’t go through all this growth and healing for Shizuku to have her back down and, faced with emotions that would have sent her back into her lonely life before, she stands up to Kaori and pries the truth out of her.
There’s real character growth here for both our leads - Kaori has been functioning as, essentially, a manic pixie dream girl, but she’s running on borrowed time and wants her memories with Shizuku to be good ones. It’s not original, but it works based on what came before.
And, hey, Shizuku has ways to preserve memories that doesn’t require Kaori to leave the hospital and she begins to tell their story with her writing and without holding back, making for a ‘warts and all’ that just brings the two closer.
But closer to what? There’s every indication that this visit to the hospital is a one-way trip for Kaori and Shizuku is still grappling with her very real emotions over their fake relationship (this might be the only time I have put up with this trope, but I feel Shizuku’s backstory explains a lot).
This lingering uncertainty is part of the draw. It wouldn’t be outside the realm for how this has gone for the emotional jugular to fulfill its title and have Shizuku alone at the end. Stronger, healed (we see some real progress here), and less full of self-loathing, but alone.
Yet, miracles are not outside the realm of a narrative and while that might be a bit of a pulled punch, it’s also true that a story this emotionally fraught might benefit from a touch of catharsis at the end.
I loved all the character work this volume, honestly. Even if the story of how Kaori knew Ruri, the girl that Shizuku bullied is a little bit of a stretch, it gives some good background that just happens to make Shizuku feel worse.
Her conversation with Ichihara, the girl who has been supporting Ruri, is very well written and I like that Ichihara moves beyond the ‘I’ll never forgive you’ basic character into something a little more nuanced. That conversation is good for both of them.
This has been a very strong redemption story that’s built upon a fairly hackneyed premise to reveal so much hidden underneath. It has been unflinching in its portrayals - most stories would not have painted Shizuku in such a bad light - and better for it.
Yeah, some things don’t move too much this volume and there’s a classic conflict introduced at the end. It’s also a slower pace with lots of talking. I think this one is killing it though - the two colour pages at the start set the tone and it just goes for it.
4.5 stars - it relies on some narrative cliches, so it isn’t perfect, but it has so far done well at using those to launch into some well-written discussions. Hopefully it continues in that direction, although the little sister stuff at the end does worry me enough to not round it up.
It’s been pretty obvious for a while that Kaori has been hiding precisely how sick she is and while we don’t find out precisely what’s wrong - manga is always vague about the nature of these things - we do find out that she is dying.
Amidst all this, she ends things with Shizuku, not wanting to have her presence or her pity, and letting her friend have her life back. Which is incredibly shortsighted, since it ignores the part where Kaori has become Shizuku’s life.
Still, we didn’t go through all this growth and healing for Shizuku to have her back down and, faced with emotions that would have sent her back into her lonely life before, she stands up to Kaori and pries the truth out of her.
There’s real character growth here for both our leads - Kaori has been functioning as, essentially, a manic pixie dream girl, but she’s running on borrowed time and wants her memories with Shizuku to be good ones. It’s not original, but it works based on what came before.
And, hey, Shizuku has ways to preserve memories that doesn’t require Kaori to leave the hospital and she begins to tell their story with her writing and without holding back, making for a ‘warts and all’ that just brings the two closer.
But closer to what? There’s every indication that this visit to the hospital is a one-way trip for Kaori and Shizuku is still grappling with her very real emotions over their fake relationship (this might be the only time I have put up with this trope, but I feel Shizuku’s backstory explains a lot).
This lingering uncertainty is part of the draw. It wouldn’t be outside the realm for how this has gone for the emotional jugular to fulfill its title and have Shizuku alone at the end. Stronger, healed (we see some real progress here), and less full of self-loathing, but alone.
Yet, miracles are not outside the realm of a narrative and while that might be a bit of a pulled punch, it’s also true that a story this emotionally fraught might benefit from a touch of catharsis at the end.
I loved all the character work this volume, honestly. Even if the story of how Kaori knew Ruri, the girl that Shizuku bullied is a little bit of a stretch, it gives some good background that just happens to make Shizuku feel worse.
Her conversation with Ichihara, the girl who has been supporting Ruri, is very well written and I like that Ichihara moves beyond the ‘I’ll never forgive you’ basic character into something a little more nuanced. That conversation is good for both of them.
This has been a very strong redemption story that’s built upon a fairly hackneyed premise to reveal so much hidden underneath. It has been unflinching in its portrayals - most stories would not have painted Shizuku in such a bad light - and better for it.
Yeah, some things don’t move too much this volume and there’s a classic conflict introduced at the end. It’s also a slower pace with lots of talking. I think this one is killing it though - the two colour pages at the start set the tone and it just goes for it.
4.5 stars - it relies on some narrative cliches, so it isn’t perfect, but it has so far done well at using those to launch into some well-written discussions. Hopefully it continues in that direction, although the little sister stuff at the end does worry me enough to not round it up.
February 7, 2024
4.75
Again, I absolutely loved the newest volume of my favourite sapphic manga. The story had taken a turn for the more emotional and tragic aspect of it. Yet the dynamic between the main couple is heartwarming despite everything. Writing a story for your pretend girlfriend who is bedridden at the hospital??? I'm sorry I am weak I am crying.
Again, I absolutely loved the newest volume of my favourite sapphic manga. The story had taken a turn for the more emotional and tragic aspect of it. Yet the dynamic between the main couple is heartwarming despite everything. Writing a story for your pretend girlfriend who is bedridden at the hospital??? I'm sorry I am weak I am crying.
April 12, 2024
I enjoying reading this. Kaori wanted to let Shizuku have the easy way out, but Shizuku fought for her and what they have and wants to stay by her side no matter what. Shizuku writing their Summer romance for Kaori and offering to do anything for her was beautiful. The ending of this part with Kaori's little sister and Shizuku shone a different light onto the series and I can't wait to read more.
December 13, 2022
3.25!
im glad we’re seeing shizuku support kaori now :,) im rlly liking their friendship, and i cant wait too see how it’ll develop more in further volumes. and oh gosh, i hope we don’t get to see too much sibling drama TT,, those arcs tend to be annoying so i hope this will be handled with nuance and not,,be dumb lol.
im glad we’re seeing shizuku support kaori now :,) im rlly liking their friendship, and i cant wait too see how it’ll develop more in further volumes. and oh gosh, i hope we don’t get to see too much sibling drama TT,, those arcs tend to be annoying so i hope this will be handled with nuance and not,,be dumb lol.
October 18, 2025
I've said this before already, but a bullet would hurt less.
Seriously though, the nuances and the layers to this story are so delicately described yet also straightforward. Yuama has brought so many realistic aspects into the plot, and every detail is so well thought out you are instantly sucked into the emotions.
Seriously though, the nuances and the layers to this story are so delicately described yet also straightforward. Yuama has brought so many realistic aspects into the plot, and every detail is so well thought out you are instantly sucked into the emotions.
September 18, 2022
This has become very much a manic pixie dream girl story and my interest is waning. We'll see if I read volume 5.
March 3, 2024
Après le volet harcèlement, place au volet maladie, décidément le drame ne nous lâche jamais ici, mais c’est toujours écrit avec une belle dose de sensibilité.
Mettons de suite les pieds dans le plat : je ne suis pas friande d’histoires de maladie. Le volet actuel de l’histoire donc, bien que très bien écrit et touchant selon la volonté de l’autrice, n’est pas réellement celui qui m’intéresse. Je vais donc essayer de vous présenter ce qui me semble bien fait, bien écrit, même si personnellement ce n’est pas à mon goût ^^!
A la fin du précédent volume, le secret de Kaori était dévoilé. Forcément, on ne pouvait plus en rester là avec Shizuku, leur relation devait évoluer et à nouveau l’autrice ne prend pas ses lecteurs pour des idiots, elle leur fati confiance et les place face à la dureté du moment. C’est cependant toujours avec une forme de douceur qu’elle annonce qui arrive à Kaori et comment elle le vit bien difficilement derrière son sourire de façade. Il faut tout le courage nouvellement acquis de Shizuku pour s’y confronter et lui tenir tête, faisant ainsi passer leur relation à une nouvelle étape.
Je trouve approprié ici, qu’on ne mette pas sous le tapis les répercussions de la maladie grave de Kaori, qu’on la sente désespérée, sur le point d’abandonner, ça donne encore plus de force à la réponse de Shizuku qui souhaite à son tour être présente pour elle et lui apporter un réconfort qu’elle seule pour donner. J’ai ainsi trouvé original de les voir continuer leurs échanges autour des écrits de Shizuku, un mélange de volonté de celle-ci et de réponse aux désirs cachés de Kaori pour l’accompagner dans ce drame. Cela offre une belle respiration, nécessaire, dans ce moment pesant et douloureux.
Cela donne naissance à de forts jolis moments de complicité entre les deux jeunes femmes, des moments peut-être encore plus puissants, car plus honnêtes. Et j’ai trouvé judicieux de faire basculer le rapport de force, offrant la possibilité à Shizu de sauver quelqu’un à son tour, ici par ses écrits, ce qui est encore plus fort, mais aussi par ses actes, même si c’est Kaori qui téléguide tout ça et qu’on sent bien qu’elle ne le fait pas réellement à son profit. Grâce à cela, Shizuku continue son chemin pour sortir de la dépression et Kaori bénéficie pleinement de la nouvelle Shizu. Le moment qu’elle va passer à la montagne étant un peu magique pour voir son évolution sous le regard de sa soeur.
L’autrice fait donc à nouveau preuve de la même finesse dont elle avait fait preuve sur la question du harcèlement, mais cette fois sur la maladie. Elle parvient à tisser une jolie histoire, touchante et émouvante, avec du pathos mais aussi de l’espoir et de la résilience, voir du don de soi. On aime voir Shizuku se transformer grâce à Kaori et tenter à son tour d’être celle qui sauvera l’autre. Une jolie forme de rédemption pour cette ancienne harceleuse repentie.
Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
Mettons de suite les pieds dans le plat : je ne suis pas friande d’histoires de maladie. Le volet actuel de l’histoire donc, bien que très bien écrit et touchant selon la volonté de l’autrice, n’est pas réellement celui qui m’intéresse. Je vais donc essayer de vous présenter ce qui me semble bien fait, bien écrit, même si personnellement ce n’est pas à mon goût ^^!
A la fin du précédent volume, le secret de Kaori était dévoilé. Forcément, on ne pouvait plus en rester là avec Shizuku, leur relation devait évoluer et à nouveau l’autrice ne prend pas ses lecteurs pour des idiots, elle leur fati confiance et les place face à la dureté du moment. C’est cependant toujours avec une forme de douceur qu’elle annonce qui arrive à Kaori et comment elle le vit bien difficilement derrière son sourire de façade. Il faut tout le courage nouvellement acquis de Shizuku pour s’y confronter et lui tenir tête, faisant ainsi passer leur relation à une nouvelle étape.
Je trouve approprié ici, qu’on ne mette pas sous le tapis les répercussions de la maladie grave de Kaori, qu’on la sente désespérée, sur le point d’abandonner, ça donne encore plus de force à la réponse de Shizuku qui souhaite à son tour être présente pour elle et lui apporter un réconfort qu’elle seule pour donner. J’ai ainsi trouvé original de les voir continuer leurs échanges autour des écrits de Shizuku, un mélange de volonté de celle-ci et de réponse aux désirs cachés de Kaori pour l’accompagner dans ce drame. Cela offre une belle respiration, nécessaire, dans ce moment pesant et douloureux.
Cela donne naissance à de forts jolis moments de complicité entre les deux jeunes femmes, des moments peut-être encore plus puissants, car plus honnêtes. Et j’ai trouvé judicieux de faire basculer le rapport de force, offrant la possibilité à Shizu de sauver quelqu’un à son tour, ici par ses écrits, ce qui est encore plus fort, mais aussi par ses actes, même si c’est Kaori qui téléguide tout ça et qu’on sent bien qu’elle ne le fait pas réellement à son profit. Grâce à cela, Shizuku continue son chemin pour sortir de la dépression et Kaori bénéficie pleinement de la nouvelle Shizu. Le moment qu’elle va passer à la montagne étant un peu magique pour voir son évolution sous le regard de sa soeur.
L’autrice fait donc à nouveau preuve de la même finesse dont elle avait fait preuve sur la question du harcèlement, mais cette fois sur la maladie. Elle parvient à tisser une jolie histoire, touchante et émouvante, avec du pathos mais aussi de l’espoir et de la résilience, voir du don de soi. On aime voir Shizuku se transformer grâce à Kaori et tenter à son tour d’être celle qui sauvera l’autre. Une jolie forme de rédemption pour cette ancienne harceleuse repentie.
Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
August 21, 2025
THIS manga. Ugh. Bravo. It hooks you right from the start, keeps you on a tight leash while you devour page after page, and then knocks you down into a little crying heap in the second half. This was beautiful. Its relatively short as even though its 6 volumes, each one is only a few chapters. I liked the length and pace; there is no padding or fluff or pointless sections to this story as the author definitely had a clear vision and kept things concise. This was incredibly heartwarming and delightful, but also one of those devastating manga’s where the author probably wanted you to hurt a little.
Volume four. Can I say anything without spoilers at this point? This was just incredibly heartwarming. When I realized what Kaori was up to and all the remaining pieces were falling together it was just…… waaaaaaaaaa
Volume four. Can I say anything without spoilers at this point? This was just incredibly heartwarming. When I realized what Kaori was up to and all the remaining pieces were falling together it was just…… waaaaaaaaaa
March 12, 2026
𝟷𝟶/𝟶𝟹/𝟸𝟼 - 𝟷𝟸/𝟶𝟹/𝟸𝟼
"Can you go climb a mountain?!"
3.0 ★
I feel bad Kaori's sister, I can completely see this from her perspective but I also think she's being a little.. selfish here? Also I think Shizuku overreacts to like everything ever and while it's endearing at some points.. oh my god let's take a breath.
I'm embarrassed at how long this is taking me to get through wwwww >//////<
"Can you go climb a mountain?!"
3.0 ★
I feel bad Kaori's sister, I can completely see this from her perspective but I also think she's being a little.. selfish here? Also I think Shizuku overreacts to like everything ever and while it's endearing at some points.. oh my god let's take a breath.
I'm embarrassed at how long this is taking me to get through wwwww >//////<
Read
April 27, 2024It picks up right after where it’s left off in the previous vol. which I like. I also like that Shizuku wouldn’t have any of it and instead writes a novel based on her and Kaori. Very interesting and needed conversation between Shizuku and Ichihara. Guess in some ways they are alike. The ending left me wanting more due to the not so stellar encounter with Kaori’s little sister.
September 25, 2024
3.5 stars
why did i go “hmm medical? tragedy?” when reading the tags on mangadex and blissfully ignore the warnings dawg i’m suffering i thought this was a slice of life romance
this manga is gonna end w shizuku completing her novel right before or right after kaori dies doesn’t it :c now the shy and aloof one has to comfort the (forcefully) cheery partner sigh
why did i go “hmm medical? tragedy?” when reading the tags on mangadex and blissfully ignore the warnings dawg i’m suffering i thought this was a slice of life romance
this manga is gonna end w shizuku completing her novel right before or right after kaori dies doesn’t it :c now the shy and aloof one has to comfort the (forcefully) cheery partner sigh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
It's great that Shizuku has held her ground about still spending time with Kaori. Even better that Kaori is pushing Shizuku to do other things, go hiking, spending time with her family. I feel bad for Kaori's sister, she's young and she's going to lose her sister. Next volume should be interesting.
July 6, 2024
I just do not like the main character after the whole bullying plot happened and the manix pixie dream girl who is going to die at the end of the story has been done a million times before, so I'm not loving this at all.
January 21, 2024
i guess this was okay.
March 12, 2024
An absolutely beautiful series that cracks my heart into small pieces with each volume. I'm just going to leave it at that.
June 10, 2024
4,5 ⭐️
June 19, 2024
This made me sob so hard
July 23, 2024
Por ahora este viene siendo mi tomo favorito, por el simple hecho de que tiene mucho drama del bueno jiji veremos cómo continúa la cosa~
3 de 5 estrellas.
3 de 5 estrellas.
October 20, 2024
Un mélange de i want to eat your pancreas et a silent voice. J’ai bien aimé mais comme j’ai l’impression de revoir un truc que j’ai lu c’est un peu redondant
December 2, 2024
(ಠ_ಠ) (ಠ_ಠ) (ಠ_ಠ) (ಠ_ಠ) (ಠ_ಠ)
bitch. no fucking way.
bitch. no fucking way.
December 22, 2024
I’M GONNA SOB
Read
January 31, 2025aughhhhhhh
March 9, 2025
My heart 😭
September 17, 2025
the dates… I can’t.
October 24, 2025
killing myself????
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews